Boromir

''By the blood of our people are your lands kept safe.''

                                                                                                                                                                                          Boromir was the beloved son of Denethor II, Steward of Gondor, five years elder than his brother Faramir. He resembled his father in look and pride, but unlike him, he found delight mainly in arms, with no wife, "fearless and strong, but caring little for lore, save the tales of old battles". Between the brothers was great love and respect. Boromir's skills made him unrivalled and unquestioned as the Captain of the White Tower. He was among those who fought Mordor at the destroying of Osgiliath.  On that night he had the vision-like dream for the first time which prompted him to go to Imladris to search for the sword that was broken. For 110 days he journeyed from Minas Tirith to Rivendell, through unknown countries and under hard circumstances. He presented himself proudly before the Council of Elrond, tall, fair and noble of face, with a stern glance, dark-haired and grey-eyed like his ancestors. He wore rich garments lined with fur, locks about his shoulders, carrying his precious horn which came from beasts from far Rhûn.  Boromir argued strongly for the use of the Ring against Sauron. It appeared to him like a most dangerous folly to let Frodo carry it into Mordor, whereas it could be used for good in the hands of a honest man such as his father. Nevertheless he was chosen to accompany the Ring-bearer in the Fellowship.  On the journey of the comrades to Moria, he proved himself as the valiant warrior he was and saved the hobbits' life when the Watcher in the Water attacked in front of Moria gate. Reluctant to enter Moria, he still went as he was overruled by the others. Boromir showed much the same unwillingness upon entering Lórien, a place he only knew as a realm of untrustworthy magic and Elven plots. The existence of Halflings was already a surprise to him; Lórien was almost more than he could take. The gift Galadriel gave him was a belt of golden leaves.  More and more the Ring filled Boromir with a craving for its possession. Though his motives may have been righteous and based on an incorrect perception of things, his actions went too far when the Company reached Amon Hen. Frodo bade himself time to think alone about the next step, when Boromir first tried to persuade him one last time, and finally violently tried to gain the Ring when Frodo would not yield. Frodo fled, and left a regretful Boromir behind who lamented his deed of madness.  Not much time did he have to do so - orcs of Isengard attacked the Company who was searching for the Ring-Bearer, and alone against multitudes of Uruk-Hai, Boromir defended Merry and Pippin until his death when the orcs shot him with a hail of arrows. For the last time he blew his mighty horn until the orcs hew it asunder, and the sound was heard still in far Minas Tirith, as was later told.